Education Community

Himachal Pradesh’s Chief Minister, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, has announced the inclusion of cutting-edge courses in the curriculum of technical colleges in the state. Starting from the upcoming academic session, students will have the opportunity to study subjects such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Data Science, and Mechatronics Engineering. During a review meeting of technical institutions, Chief Minister Sukhu stressed the importance of staying at the forefront of technological advancements. As a result, the state government has taken a significant step by introducing a range of courses in various institutions from August 2023. The Government Hydro Engineering College Bilaspur will offer a Bachelor of Technology (BTech) program in Computer Science and Engineering, specializing in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science. This program has received approval from the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and Himachal Pradesh Technical University (HPTU). Additionally, Government Polytechnic institutions in Rohru and Chamba will now offer specialized courses in Computer Engineering and Mechatronics Engineering, respectively. These courses have also been approved by the AICTE. In response to the evolving demands of the industry, 17 industrial training institutes in the state will introduce other courses such as Mechanic Electric Vehicle, Technician Mechatronics, Fibre to Home Technician, Solar Technician (Electric), Internet of Things Technician, and Maintenance Mechanic (Chemical Plant). Chief Minister Sukhu emphasized the importance of practical training and urged collaboration with leading companies to provide students with real-world exposure. By fostering such partnerships, the government aims to bridge the gap between academia and industry, equipping students with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in their careers. To ensure the highest quality of education, the government plans to deploy qualified staff members who will receive specialized training. The introduction of these new-age courses reflects the Himachal Pradesh government’s commitment to creating a favourable environment for technological advancements and generating abundant employment opportunities for the youth in the state.

The University of Melbourne and Shoolini University have joined hands to offer a dual-degree program, beginning with the Bachelor of Science Advanced (Honours). This collaboration marks the University of Melbourne’s first dual-degree partnership with a private Indian university. Under the agreement, Indian students will have the opportunity to pursue undergraduate studies in Science at both institutions. They will spend two years at Shoolini University and then continue their education for the next two years at the University of Melbourne. During their third and fourth years, students can choose from a range of multidisciplinary majors, including Agriculture, Sustainability and Environment, Biosciences, and Computer Sciences. In addition, eligible students will have the option to extend their studies by an extra year, completing a Master’s of Science degree at the University of Melbourne. This extension also provides them with the chance to apply for post-study work rights in Australia, subject to meeting the criteria set by the Australian government. Professor Michael Wesley, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Global, Culture and Engagement at the University of Melbourne, expressed his excitement about the partnership, stating that this collaboration with Shoolini University is the fourth dual-degree partnership with an Indian university and the first with a private institution. The University of Melbourne looks forward to working with Shoolini University. Professor Atul Khosla, Vice Chancellor of Shoolini University, also expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, emphasizing the enhanced international study opportunities it provides to their exceptional undergraduate students. He believes that this collaboration highlights the global reputation of Shoolini University as a top-tier institution and opens doors to even more opportunities for their students.

Pune, Maharashtra is set to host the 4th and final meeting of the Education Working Group (EDWG) for the G20 on June 19-21, 2023. The event, organized by the Ministry of Education, will focus on the theme of “Ensuring Foundation Literacy and Numeracy, especially in the context of blended learning.” The meeting will be followed by the Education Ministerial meeting on June 22, 2023. During a press conference, K. Sanjay Murthy, Secretary (Higher Education); Sanjay Kumar, Secretary (Department of School Education & Literacy); and Atul Kumar Tiwari, Secretary (Skill Development and Entrepreneurship), provided details about the upcoming G20 4th Education Working Group meeting, Ministerial Meeting, Jan Bhagidari events, and precursor events to be held in Pune. Murthy announced that a seminar on Foundational Literacy and Numeracy, a priority area, will precede the main EdWG Meeting. Several countries including Spain, Australia, Indonesia, USA, UAE, Saudi Arabia, China, and the UK have expressed their interest in the seminar and will participate as panellists. So far, 14 ministers from countries such as the UK, Italy, Brazil, China, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Singapore, Oman, Mauritius, Japan, Bangladesh, Egypt, UAE, and the Netherlands have confirmed their participation in the ministerial meeting. Murthy emphasized that the Education Working Group meeting will conclude with the Ministerial Meeting, bringing together Education Ministers from G20 members and invited countries. The event aims to gather stakeholders in the scientific community to discuss best practices for accessible science and its application in nations with different local capacities. The focus will be on utilizing science practices to support global progress. The Education Working Group meeting and the Ministerial Meeting will be significant events, providing a platform for collaboration among Education Ministers from G20 member countries and invited nations.

According to recent regulations set by the National Medical Commission (NMC), MBBS students are now required to complete their course within nine years from the date of admission. The NMC has also stated that students will only have four attempts to clear the first year of their MBBS program. These new guidelines were announced in a gazette notification on June 2. Additionally, the NMC has mandated common counselling for admissions to undergraduate medical courses across all medical institutions in India. The counselling process will be based on the NEET-UG merit list. The NMC will appoint a designated authority to oversee the counselling process and determine the agency and method for allocating undergraduate seats. The Under-Graduate Medical Education Board (UGMEB) will provide guidelines for conducting the common counselling, and the designated authority will conduct the counselling in accordance with these guidelines. It is important to note that no medical institute is allowed to admit candidates to the Graduate Medical Education (GME) course in violation of these regulations.

IIT Madras is organizing a special event called “Demo Day” for JEE aspirants to provide them with a first-hand experience of campus life. The event will take place on June 17 and June 18 online, and on June 24 offline. Interested participants can register on the official website, askiitm.com, before the deadline on June 16. Demo Day is part of the AskIITM initiative, which is managed by IIT Madras alumni and students. The askiitm.com website allows aspirants to ask questions about courses, faculty, placements, and campus life, with responses provided by a team of dedicated volunteers. Aspirants can also access pre-existing answers on the website. During Demo Day, aspiring students and their parents will have the opportunity to explore the IIT Madras campus and engage in discussions with current students, faculty members, and recent alumni. They can ask questions and attend demo lectures, as well as interact with various student clubs at IIT Madras.

The Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education has announced the inclusion of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a new subject for students starting from Class 9. The decision aims to align with the National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF) and will be applicable to schools that do not offer NSQF subjects. The official notification states that AI will be an additional subject for such schools. The syllabus for AI in Class 9 and Class 11 will be the same, as per a revised circular. Students opting for AI as their seventh subject in Class 9 will be exempted from the existing ICT (Information and Communication Technology) subject. The assessment for AI will consist of a theory component worth 40 marks (20 marks for each term) and a practical component worth 60 marks (30 marks for each term). The board recommends three sessions of 33 minutes each per week for AI classes in Class 9 and Class 11. Furthermore, the board has also updated the existing ICT syllabus for Class 9 and Class 11.

Ravindra Kulkarni has recently been designated as the Vice Chancellor of Mumbai University (MU), while Dr. Suresh Gosavi has assumed the role of Vice Chancellor at Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU), as per an announcement from the office of Maharashtra Governor Ramesh Bais on Tuesday. The Governor, who acts as the chancellor of public universities in the state, also tweeted about Dr. Sanjay Bhave being appointed as the new VC of Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth in Dapoli. Dr Ravindra Dattatray Kulkarni has been appointed as the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Mumbai; while Dr. Suresh Wamangir Gosavi has been appointed as the Vice-Chancellor of Savitribai Phule Pune University. — Governor of Maharashtra (@maha_governor) June 6, 2023 Dr. Kulkarni is a respected professor at the Institute of Chemical Technology, and Dr. Gosavi holds a senior professorship in the Department of Physics at SPPU. Dr. Bhave currently leads the department at Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth. Mumbai University (MU) and Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) are two prestigious educational institutions in Maharashtra, India. Mumbai University, established in 1857, is one of the oldest and largest universities in the country. It offers a wide range of undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs across various disciplines, including arts, science, commerce, law, engineering, and technology. The university has numerous affiliated colleges and institutes, making it a hub of academic and research activities in the region. Savitribai Phule Pune University, founded in 1949, is another renowned university known for its academic excellence. It offers diverse academic programs in fields such as arts, science, commerce, management, engineering, and social sciences. SPPU has a strong focus on research and innovation, collaborating with national and international institutions to foster academic partnerships and advancements. Both universities play a crucial role in shaping the educational landscape of Maharashtra, producing skilled graduates and contributing to the overall development of the state. They are led by Vice Chancellors who oversee the administration, academic policies, and overall functioning of the institutions, ensuring quality education and research opportunities for students and faculty.

The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has announced that it is undertaking a need-based exercise to rationalize textbooks with the aim of reducing the content load. According to the NCERT, the new set of books will only be used for the upcoming academic year and are not intended for long-term use. This rationalization is a temporary measure as the NCERT is currently in the process of finalizing the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE) based on the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Once the NCF-SE is completed, a new set of textbooks will be introduced for the following academic year. The removal of the chapter on the periodic table from Class 10 Science textbooks and the deletion of passages on evolution were part of the rationalization exercise conducted in June 2022. The NCERT stated that these changes were made considering the mental health of students during the Covid-19 pandemic and its aftermath. The NCERT is committed to developing scientific thinking in students by providing updated and globally standardized textbooks in all subject areas, including Science. The development of the new textbooks will align with the principles outlined in the NEP 2020.

The Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE) has announced the results of the SSC (Class 10) board exams for the year 2023. The results can be accessed on the official websites of the board, namely mahresult.nic.in, sscresult.mkcl.org, or msbshse.co.in. This year, the pass percentage for SSC students is 93.83%, showing a decrease of 3.18% compared to the previous year. The decline in pass percentage is observed across various board exams at the state and national levels. Several factors may have contributed to this decline, including the impact of the lockdown on students’ learning abilities, the successful anti-cheating campaign implemented in the state, the leniency granted during the board exams in pandemic years, and the varying difficulty levels of question papers. In terms of individual scores, 151 students achieved a perfect 100%, with the majority from Latur (108) followed by Aurangabad (22), Amravati (7), Mumbai (6), Pune (5), and Konkan (3). Out of the 37,704 repeaters who registered for the SSC exams, 36,648 appeared, and 22,320 successfully passed, resulting in a pass percentage of 60.90%. Additionally, 8,397 persons with disabilities registered for the SSC exams, out of which 8,312 appeared and 7,688 passed, recording a pass percentage of 92.49%. Among the nine divisions, Konkan secured the highest pass percentage at 98.11%, while Nagpur had the lowest at 92.05%. Once again, girls outperformed boys with a pass percentage of 95.87% compared to boys’ 92.05%. A total of 1,529,096 students appeared for the exams, with 1,434,898 students passing. Among them, 526,210 students achieved first class, 334,015 received a second division, and 85,298 obtained a pass class. Students can apply for mark verification online at http://verification.mh-ssc.ac.in from June 3 to June 12, along with a fee of Rs 50. A remarkable 66,578 students scored 90% and above, and 173,586 students were granted additional marks for participating in non-academic activities such as sports. Additionally, 33,306 students have been allowed to proceed to the next grade with a “keep term” status (ATKT), in case they failed in a maximum of two subjects. These students need to clear their SSC papers before being admitted to Class 12. This year, a total of 1,577,256 students registered for the MSBSHSE SSC exam, comprising 844,116 boys and 733,067 girls. The exams were conducted from March 2 to March 25 at 5,033 centers across the state. In previous years, the pass percentages were as follows: 96.94% in 2022, 99.95% in 2021, 95.30% in 2020 (pre-pandemic), 77.10% in 2019, and 89.41% in 2018.

The Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE) has made an official announcement regarding the Maharashtra SSC Result 2023. According to the announcement, the results will be released tomorrow, June 2, 2023. This news follows the recent declaration of the HSC 12th Result on May 25, 2023, which was eagerly anticipated by 14 lakh students. Now, approximately 16 lakh students who appeared for the SSC exams are anxiously awaiting the release of their 10th class results. The Maharashtra Board conducted the SSC or Class 10 exams from March 2 to March 25, 2023. These exams marked a crucial milestone for students as they completed their secondary education. The board’s decision to release the results in the first week of June has added to the anticipation among students and their families. To access their Maharashtra SSC Result 2023, students will need to visit the official websites of the board, mahresult.nic.in and mahahsscboard.in. Once on the website, they will be required to enter their roll number and mother’s name, which will serve as authentication for accessing their individual results. This step ensures the privacy and security of the students’ information while providing them with an easy way to obtain their results online. As the Maharashtra SSC Result 2023 is set to be unveiled, students across the state are eagerly awaiting the outcome of their hard work and dedication. The release of the results will mark the beginning of a new chapter in their academic journey, guiding them towards their future endeavours.